Extended nasolabial flap for reconstruction of a complex nasal tip and columella defect in an elderly polymorbid patient

Abstract

In this article, we describe an extended variant of the traditional nasolabial flap, utilized for coverage of a complex nasal tip and columella defect originated after basal cell carcinoma excision in a polymorbid elder patient. Although not the standard option for nasal tip coverage, the extended nasolabial flap proves to be an appropriate choice in the context of elder and polymorbid patients, achieving satisfactory results with a reduced surgical time and a simple technique. Therefore, in certain patients with large nasal tip defects with scars that impair the use of the paramedian forehead flap, or that reject the use of the forehead as donor site, or in cases of patients that require oxygen masks, the extended nasolabial flap could be the technique of choice.